Marine Life

Whale Sharks

When it comes to size, whale sharks are the biggest fish in our seas. There are reports of some whale sharks being up to 18m (60ft) in length but the largest verified size is 12.65m (41.5ft) with a weight of 36 tonnes. They are thought to live up to 70 years in the wild and can be found circumglobally in coastal warm temperate and tropical seas at depths of between 0m and 700m. Commonly found in the Western Atlantic, Indian Ocean, the Western and Eastern Pacific. Despite what the name would suggest, the whale shark is actually a fish, and the largest in the world.

Where to see Whale Sharks

The whale shark is one of nature's most incredible creatures. By
far the largest fish in the sea, it can grow to in excess of 40
feet, weigh over 30 tonnes and live to 70 years of age. This gentle
giant is a filter feeder whose favourite meal is plankton. In order
to feed, it juts out its formidable jaws and sucks in everything in
the vicinity. It then shuts its mouth, forcing water to filter out
of its gills. Everything that remains becomes the giant shark's
dinner.

With a preference for warm waters, whale sharks populate every
tropical sea but are notoriously difficult to spot unless you
choose your spot very carefully. Among other destinations, they are
known to migrate every spring to the continental shelf of the
central west coast of Australia. The coral spawning of the area's
Ningaloo Reef provides the whale shark with an abundant supply of
plankton.

Despite its size, the whale shark does not pose significant
danger to humans. Although massive, whale sharks are docile fish
and sometimes allow swimmers to hitch a ride (though of course we
wouldn't encourage touching them!) They are actually quite gentle
and can play with divers. Divers and snorkelers can swim with whale
sharks without risk, apart from unintentional blows from the
shark's large tail fin!

Raja Ampat just happens to sit right on the bullseye of the Coral Triangle, which is the area of highest marine biodiversity on earth. With more species of fish and coral than anywhere else on our planet, the diving here is jaw-dropping.

Off the western coast of Thailand, a group of islands called the Similans are home to the very best diving that can be found in Thailand. Here you can find whale sharks, mantas and other large pelagics.